The Gainesville Iguana A progressive newsletter and events calendar July/August, 2017 Vol. 31, Issue 7/8

The ‘Say YES to Second Chances’ campaign needs you! Get Voting Restoration Amendment on 2018 ballot

Volunteers from both Putnam and Alachua counties gather on June 13 at Hammock Hall in Palatka at the Putnam County Say YES to Second Chances group meeting to brainstorm ideas . From left to right, Betsy Freeman, Julie Thaler, Fran Rossano, Margaret Ellington, Pat Brady, Jessica Arnold, and Brenda Bivins . Photo courtesy of Heidi Harris . By Heidi Harris 28,808 petitions. We have a good start, and The Say YES to Second Chances initiative the momentum is building as residents of Noam Chomsky: has entered the home stretch for inclusion Gainesville, Hawthorne, Palatka, Inter- on the 2018 ballot, and Floridians from all lachen, Alachua and other communities are On Trump and the walks of life are mobilizing in support. Al- joining together to gather signatures. most 800,000 signed petitions are required, One of our newest volunteers, Beverly from State of the Union proportionately represented statewide. The Hawthorne, has single-handedly collected This interview appeared in the July 5 3rd Congressional District, which includes over 250 signed petitions within a five day edition of The New York Times, breaking Alachua County, must submit a total of stretch. Jess and Christine, a dynamic hus- a decades-long mainstream media band and wife team in Gainesville, have blackout of Noam Chomsky . See more at INSIDE ... gathered over 2,700. There are hundreds of nytimes .com . volunteers, working in small teams or indi- From the Publisher...... 3 vidually, gathering signatures at events of Over the past few months, as the disturb- Event Calendar...... 12–13 all sizes, in faith groups, in the work place, ing prospect of a Trump administration Oral History ...... 20-21 among family gatherings, and in multiple became a disturbing reality, I decided to Directory...... 21-23 public places throughout their neighbor- reach out to Noam Chomsky, the philoso- Editors’ Picks...... 24 hoods and townships. The human toll of pher whose writing, speaking and activ- See CAMPAIGN, p. 19 See CHOMSKY, p. 16 From the publisher . . Bernie Sanders at the Peoples Summit Subscribe! This is the conclusion of a speech Sen . Bernie Sanders gave at women stood up. They went on hunger strikes. They went to the Peoples Summit in early June . This is from a transcript by jail. And they said, “Women in America”—and they stood What to pay attention to The Gainesville Iguana Democracy Now!, which was posted on July 3 along with the with their male allies. They said, “Women in America will not “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for what you will .” is Gainesville's progressive video of the entire speech . See more at democracynow .org . continue to be second-class citizens.” newsletter and events calendar --This was the slogan of the Eight-Hour Day movement in ... I also know something about American history. And I know And 20 years ago, 25 years ago, no time at all, people who were May of 1886. Individuals: $15 that 150 years ago in this country, working people had no rights. gay, who were public with their sexuality, were humiliated, were (or more if you can) They were treated like animals. They were forced to work 12, beaten. But the gay community, and their straight allies, against Now personally I think that 8 hours for work is a few hours Low/No income: What you can 14 hours a day. Children of 10, 11 years of age were working in incredible pressure, stood up and said that in the United States per day longer than optimal, but we were then coming from Groups: $20 factories and losing their fingers. Kids were working in fields. of America, people will have the right to love whomever they a system of 10 and 12 hours (or more), so it was a great step Gainesville Iguana And workers 150 years ago stood up, under tremendous— want, regardless of their gender. in the right direction. What I want to focus on here is the with tremendous opposition against them. And they said to P .O . Box 14712 Now, I’ve given you that brief overview of American history to “what you will” part, and the vast array of options open to their bosses—they said, “We are not animals. We’re not beasts Gainesville, FL 32604 make this simple point: Now is not the time to throw your hands us in the here-and-now of 2017. And within that, moving of burden. We are human beings. We’re going to form trade up and say, “I’m giving up. I’m in despair. I’m burnt out.” beyond the social and familial responsibilities to the stuff Comments, suggestions, contributions unions.” And I thank the American trade union movement for all we choose to put in our heads, and what we do with our (written or financial) are welcome. To I want you to think about the incredibly brave heroes and heroines they have done. And my pledge to you is we will pass legislation non-sleep, non-work time. Joe Courter list your event or group, contact us at: making it easier for workers to form unions. in our history, against unbelievably daunting odds, who risked (352) 378-5655 their lives for social justice, for economic justice, for racial justice. And when we think about American history, we think about a The choices we have now are literally mind-boggling. Technology has given us the tools GainesvilleIguana@cox .net hundred years ago, 120 years ago, when African Americans, under Now, the fight that we are engaged in now is a tough one. No to see and hear almost anything that has ever been produced for human consumption. www .gainesvilleiguana .org the most outrageous conditions, stood up and fought for dignity. question about it. We are taking on an extremely powerful Music, movies, documentaries, cute and adorable animals, practical jokes, science, facebook .com/gainesvilleiguana And we will never know—never know—how many were beaten, billionaire class whose greed has destroyed the middle class of religion, games, porn, cartoons, car crashes, satellite weather, even satellite and street how many were lynched, how many were jailed in the fight for this country, whose greed says that it is not enough that the top views of our homes. Whatever you will. It is so seductive, and it is endless. The Iguana has been published basic human dignity. But we do know that over the years millions 1 percent today owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 monthly or bimonthly by volunteers of people, black and white and everybody else, stood together and percent. Not enough! They want it all. And what we are saying So what’s it done to us? I am sure there are many and varied studies, and this is not for 30 years . Circulation for this said that we will end the scourge of racism in this country. today: We are going to stand up to that greed, to that recklessness, one. But I do think the lack of a common narrative in our collective lives has led us to issue is 4,500 . and tell the billionaire class that this nation belongs to all of us, this mess we are in where so many people are so lacking in a sense of community and And many of the children don’t know this, but a hundred Publisher: this democracy belongs to all of us. And when we stand together, so alienated from politics, that many people have chosen to simply tune out, or to just years ago today, women in America did not have the right to Joe Courter when we stand together and not allow demagogues to divide us assemble a world view around a simple slogan or belief system, find a comforting tribe vote, did not have the right to do the jobs, to get the education to join and say, that’s good enough. Editors Emeritus: they wanted to have—a hundred years ago, no time at all. But up by the color of our skin or the country we came from or our sexual orientation or our gender, when we stand together, there Jenny Brown is nothing that will stop us! Thank you all very much! D The trouble is, the door has been opened to a gang of people who have a very well Mark Piotrowski organized agenda, and a powerful belief system that they are convinced is correct. Beginning in the ’70s and ’80s, the wealthy elites of this country found a willing Editorial Board: partner with evangelical Christians, and the combination of newly created right- Pierce Butler wing/libertarian think-tanks, the blossoming of right-wing talk radio and television Joe Courter ministries, and the expansion of cable television gave them the tools to challenge the Beth Grobman growing tide of social justice, human rights, and science-based environmental policies. Jessica Newman Capitalizing on the fact that the elected leaders on the Left tend toward compromise, Production work & assistance: the Right has smashed the union movement to a shadow of itself and rewritten the rules Joye Barnes of high finance to allow even more wealth to flow to the top. (See Editors’ Picks on Sarah Goff page 24 for a longer piece on “Mike Pence as the Messiah.”) Sheila Payne Julie Thayer The Right has been playing the long game. Knowing the Democratic base tends to vote Carolyn Salt less in non-presidential years, they put huge effort to win in 2010 (a census year), and in doing so were able to redraw voting districts to favor themselves. We are halfway Distribution: through 2017, and the 2018 elections must start the momentum of change. Then in Joe Courter 2020, hopefully, the gerrymandering done in 2010 can be reversed. Bill Gilbert Sam Madeira So, back to “what you will.” More like “what we will.” We will need to step up our Jack Price civic responsibility, understand that elections have consequences, and understand how Anita Sundaram the electoral system works. Contact us if you can help with Locally there are numerous ways to get involved. The Say YES to Second Chances distribution in outlying areas . effort to get restoration of voting rights. Alachua County Labor Coalition regarding Authors & photographers have sole raising the minimum wage and the establishment of a Medicare For All single payer credit, responsibility for, and rights system. The successor to the Bernie campaign: AC Rev, also Florida Women’s March to their work . GALLERY TOUR BEGINS AT 7 PM and Indivisible. League of Women Voters. Sierra Club and other science-based organizations. I know each of you have varied responsibilities, and for some, “what Cover drawing of iguana by Daryl you will” time is mighty scant. No guilt here, you have one life and you are entitled to Harrison . live it fully. But know these are critical times we live in, worth paying attention to, and Printed on recycled paper . to be ready pitch in as you can. D page 2, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 3 News from the Civic Media Center Democratic Socialists of America come to Central Florida There have been big changes in the world of media since the by Central Florida DSA DSA is working locally to develop CMC opened its doors in 1993. The internet was brand new then, DSA, always open to the public. Meetings multiracial coalitions and campaigns to and people needed places (i.e., the CMC) to access it. Now it is Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are held in the Alachua County Downtown challenge neoliberal, pro-corporate policies. pervasive, and devices to use it are common. The internet also is the largest socialist organization in the Library, on the fourth Monday of every has a vast, VAST storehouse of documentary and regular film, US. It is an educational organization, not We encourage you to join us in Gainesville month, from 6:45-8:15 p.m. We look music and spoken word recordings. In fact, the CMC’s VHS and a political party, with more than 22,000 at the next General Meeting of Central FL forward to seeing you there! #Solidarity D audio cassette collections are now in storage, whereas they were members nationwide and over 120 local central to the collection before. groups, one in nearly every state in the U.S. Books they've got, yes; thousands lining the walls; a stunning Members are activists committed to What you need to know about the collection augmented by the large donation of his personal li- democracy as not simply one of our brary by Florida author and folklorist Stetson Kennedy. political values but as a means of Alachua County Solar Cooperative restructuring our society to make it more So here in 2017, what is the CMC's role in the community? This free, participatory, and humane. (deadline to join is July 28) has not changed: a vital community space for meetings, discus- Florida Organic by Alachua County Solar Cooperative evaluation with each individual mem- sions, and organizing. A place for music and art that is not a bar DSA does not have a blueprint for the 1. Alachua County residents may install ber. Upon evaluation, PPM will present or museum. A counter-cultural place where marginalized people Growers/UF IFAS perfect society; it has not determined roof-top solar power now, at much lower a contract offer to the member, who may, can find acceptance and thrive. And WGOT is in the process of the minutiae of exactly how society will rates and with the assistance of profession- but is not obligated to, sign that contract moving their studios into the CMC building. to host free workshops function. Instead, democratic socialists believe that as more people participate in al staff, by joining the Alachua County So- and install solar. That contract will in- BIG NEWS: The CMC has been taken under the wing of an- Organic Vegetable Production and creating democracy and as more demo- lar Cooperative (www.flsun.org/alachua). clude the terms and prices that the Solar other local 501(c)3 non-profit while reapplying for theirs. Those cratic changes take place, the possibili- Cooperative has negotiated with PPM. of you who can donate, may send tax deductible checks to the High Tunnel Research Results 2. This Cooperative is being hosted by ties for a fully participatory society will the League of Women Voters, Alachua 6. Applications for Cooperative member- CMC at 433 S. Main St. Gainesville, FL 32601. Make checks Monday, July 24, 1– 4:30 pm reveal themselves. County (LWVAC). The Cooperative is ship are being accepted through July 28, out to NUBA, earmarked for the CMC. (NUBA is Neighbor- 2017. Any Alachua County resident may hoods United for a Better Alachua, a 501(c)3 organization which Straughn Professional Development Center, UF Democratic Socialists believe that both organized and administered by Florida 2142 Shealy Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608 the economy and society should be run Solar United Neighborhoods (FL SUN), apply to be a member on the Cooperative’s shares similar goals to the CMC.) website: www.flsun.org/alachua. The Co- • Benefits and challenges of high tunnel production democratically to meet human needs, not a partnership of the Florida League of Community support is another vital constant, especially true in operative will be closed and no more ap- D • High tunnel structures to make profits for a few. Women Voters and the non-profit, 501(c) the summer. Visit www.civicmediacenter.org to learn more. • Soil fertility and crop nutrient management (3) Community Power Network. plications accepted after that date. • Disease and pest management In a capitalist system, working people will always fall short of justice when it 3. Cooperative members benefit from 7. We are holding two more public infor- www.civicmediacenter.org • Economic considerations mation sessions if you have more ques- • Organic certification and USDA cost share program comes to wages, since the basic logic of lower prices (up to 20 percent discount) coordinators@ the system dictates that a small group of obtained through group negotiation and tions. The first will be held on July 11 at civicmediacenter.org Register at: owners appropriates the wealth generated purchasing. They also benefit from FL the Bob Graham Center on the UF cam- 352-373-0010 https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk pus. The second session will be held on =a07eebhaubw0f1d0a9e&oseq=&c=&ch= by a company, which then reluctantly SUN staff being available to answer ques- 433 S. Main St., Gainesville hands over a small portion of that wealth tions and provide guidance. July 19 at the Millhopper Library. 32601 Travel reimbursement will be made available as needed to to the workers who created it. 8. LWVAC is hosting this cooperative as 4. Joining the Co-Op is quick, easy, and interested growers . part of a state-wide effort being led by the Park just to the south at SE 5th Ave, (see sign), or after Under capitalism, ownership of resources free. Any Alachua County resident may Florida League of Women Voters. We are 7 pm at the courthouse (just north of 4th Ave), or GRU resides with the few, who create laws that do so at www.flsun.org/alachua. Each ap- (2 blocks east of CMC). Organic Tomato Grafting and being assisted in public outreach by a lo- allow for the abuse of those resources plicant’s home site is reviewed by FL SUN cal steering committee and local partners; High Tunnel Production without consequence. Under democratic staff for suitability. If a site looks pos- have had the professional guidance of FL Thursday, July 27, 9 – 12 pm, socialism, ownership of resources resides sibly or likely suitable for roof-top solar, Civic Media Center Event Highlights SUN staff in holding public meetings and Frog Song Organics Farm with the people, and the people determine that member’s name and contact informa- both how the resources are to be allocated organizing a solar contract review com- Every Wed Farmers Market, 4-7pm Location: Frog Song Organics, 4317 NE US Hwy 301, tion is forwarded on to the Cooperative’s mittee to choose our contractor; and will Hawthorne, FL 32640 and used, as well as what the consequenc- independent contractor, Gainesville-based Every Thu Weekly Volunteer Meeting, es should be for abuses. be working with that contractor, PPM, to • Why graft? - An overview of vegetable grafting Power Production Management (PPM). make Gainesville’s rooftop solar #1 in 5:30-6:30pm • Tomato grafting techniques and hands-on practice Workers should not have to check their 5. PPM will then schedule an on-site Florida, the “Sunshine State.” D The CMC presents a pot luck and film “I Am Not • Integrated use of grafting in organic tomato production democratic rights every time they enter Your Negro” at 7pm on Monday, July 17, on the life • Results from an on-farm research trial of organic produc- the workplace. That which touches all tion of grafted specialty tomatoes in a high tunnel system should be governed by all. Gainesville Roller Rebels and impact James Baldwin. • Grafting challenges and economic feasibility Swamp City Sirens Institutional policy should be developed versus GUT Fest will happen over three nights, July 21- Register at: 23, with many performers from across the country. and written by the people and groups Thunder City Sirens https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk affected by those institutions. Privatization 6-9 each night =a07ee9jkbd04b64e78e&oseq=&c=&ch= of any service removes it from public Saturday, August 26 Voice Hoist and Algae kick off their nat’l tour 9:30 accountability. All work should be valued Martin Luther King Junior pm, on Wednesday, July 26. Please visit the Florida Organic Growers website at www. and compensated on an equal basis, Multipurpose Center foginfo.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook. including all of the work currently done 1028 NE 14th St. com/FLOrganicGrowers for information and updates. by women without compensation. Gainesville Volunteers are needed for staffing and tech For more information, please call Tyler at Florida Organic support, especially help with our website. An all-embracing moral vision based on Doors open at 6 pm Growers at 352-377-6345 ext. 123. the premise that an injustice to one is an Gainesvillerollerrebels.com injustice to all. page 4, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 5 Similarly, NBC News headline announced, “Russians Hacked Two A Checkered History Foisting blame for cyber-hacking on Russia U.S. Voter Databases, Officials Say.” But those who actually read So, the history of the U.S. government’s claim that Russian the story closely learned that in fact none of the unnamed sources it intelligence hacked into election databases reveals it to be a Exclusive: Cyber-criminal efforts to Russian intelligence but by criminal someone tried to get into our system but cited were actually attributing the hacking to the Russians. clear case of politically motivated analysis by the DHS and hack into U .S . government databases hackers seeking personal information to that they finally succeeded in getting in.” It didn’t take long for Democrats to turn the Comey teaser — and the Intelligence Community. Not only was the claim based on are epidemic, but this ugly reality is sell on the Internet. Menzel said hackers “have been trying these anonymously sourced stories with misleading headlines nothing more than inherently inconclusive technical indicators now being exploited to foist blame Both Ozment and state officials constantly to get into it since 2006.” about Russian database hacking — into an established fact. A but no credible motive for Russian intelligence wanting personal on Russia and fuel the New Cold War responsible for the state databases revealed And it’s not just state voter registration few days later, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence information on registered voters was ever suggested. hysteria, reports Gareth Porter . This that those databases have been the object databases that cybercriminals are Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff declared that there was “no Russian intelligence certainly has an interest in acquiring article was originally published on July of attempted intrusions for years. The FBI after, according to Menzel. “Every doubt” Russia was behind the hacks on state electoral databases. intelligence related to the likely outcome of American elections, 2 by Consortium News . Read more at provided information to at least one state but it would make no sense for Russia’s spies to acquire personal consortiumnews .com . governmental data base – driver’s On Oct. 7, DHS and the Office of the Director of National official indicating that the culprits in the licenses, health care, you name it – has Intelligence issued a joint statement that they were “not in a position voting information about 90,000 registered voters in Illinois. By Gareth Porter hacking of the state’s voter registration people trying to get into it,” he said. to attribute this activity to the Russian government.” But only a few When FBI Counter-intelligence chief Priestap was asked at the database were cyber-criminals. Recent hearings by the Senate and House Arizona Secretary of State Michele weeks later, DHS participated with FBI in issuing a “Joint Analysis June 21 hearing how Moscow might use such personal data, his Intelligence Committees reflected the Illinois is the one state where hackers Reagan told Mother Jones that her I.T. Report” on “Russian malicious cyber activity” that did not refer tortured effort at an explanation clearly indicated that he was rising tide of Russian-election-hacking succeeded in breaking into a voter specialists had detected 193,000 distinct directly to scanning and spearphishing aimed of state electoral totally unprepared to answer the question. hysteria and contributed further to it. registration database last summer. The attempts to get into the state’s website databases but attributed all hacks related to the election to “actors “They took the data to understand what it consisted of,” said Both Democrats and Republicans on crucial fact about the Illinois hacking, in September 2016 alone and 11,000 likely associated with RIS [Russian Intelligence Services].” Priestap, “so they can affect better understanding and plan the two committees appeared to share however, was that the hackers extracted appeared to be trying to “do harm.” Suspect Claims accordingly in regards to possibly impacting future election by the alarmist assumptions about Russian personal information on roughly 90,000 Reagan further revealed that she had learned But that claim of a “likely” link between the hackers and Russia knowing what is there and studying it.” hacking, and the officials who testified registered voters, and that none of the from the FBI that hackers had gotten a user was not only speculative but highly suspect. The authors of the did nothing to discourage the politicians. information was expunged or altered. In contrast to that befuddled non-explanation, there is highly name and password for their electoral data- DHS-ODNI report claimed the link was “supported by technical credible evidence that the FBI was well aware that the actual On June 21, Samuel Liles, acting The Actions of Cybercriminals base, and that it was being sold on the “dark indicators from the U.S. intelligence community, DHS, FBI, the hackers in the cases of both Illinois and Arizona were motivated director of the Intelligence and Analysis That was an obvious clue to the motive web” – an encrypted network used by cy- private sector and other entities.” They cited a list of hundreds by the hope of personal gain. Office’s Cyber Division at the Department ber criminals to buy and sell their wares. In of I.P. addresses and other such “indicators” used by hackers behind the hack. Assistant DHS Secretary Gareth Porter is an independent investigative journalist and of Homeland Security, and Jeanette fact, she said, the FBI told her that the they called “Grizzly Steppe” who were supposedly linked to Ozment testified before the House winner of the 2012 Gellhorn Prize for journalism . He is the Manfra, acting deputy under secretary probe of Arizona’s database was the work Russian intelligence. Subcommittee on Information Technology author of the newly published Manufactured Crisis: The for cyber-security and communications, of a “known hacker” who had been closely provided the main story line for the day on Sept. 28 that the apparent interest of the But as I reported last January, the staff of Dragos Security, whose Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare . D monitored “frequently.” in testimony before the Senate committee hackers in copying the data suggested that CEO Rob Lee, had been the architect of a U.S. government system — that efforts to hack into election the hacking was “possibly for the purpose James Comey’s Role for defense against cyber attack, pointed out that the vast majority of selling personal information.” of those indicators would certainly have produced “false positives.” databases had been found in 21 states. The sequence of events indicates that Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson Ozment’s testimony provides the only the main person behind the narrative of Then, on Jan. 6 came the “intelligence community assessment” – and FBI counter-intelligence chief Bill credible motive for the large number of Russian hacking state election databases produced by selected analysts from CIA, FBI and National Priestap also endorsed the narrative of states found to have experienced what from the beginning was former FBI Security Agency and devoted almost entirely to the hacking Russian government responsibility for the the intelligence community has called Director James Comey. In testimony to of e-mail of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary intrusions on voter registration databases. “scanning and probing” of computers to the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta. But it included a gain access to their electoral databases: 28, Comey suggested that the Russian statement that “Russian intelligence obtained and maintained But none of those who testified offered the personal information involved – access to elements of multiple state or local election boards.” any evidence to support this suspicion nor government was behind efforts to penetrate even e-mail addresses – is commercially voter databases, but never said so directly. Still, no evidence was evinced on this alleged link between the were they pushed to do so. And beneath valuable to the cybercriminal underworld. hackers and Russian intelligence. the seemingly unanimous embrace of that Comey told the committee that FBI narrative lies a very different story. That same testimony also explains why Counterintelligence was working to Over the following months, the narrative of hacked voter so many more states reported evidence registration databases receded into the background as the The Department of Homeland Security “understand just what mischief Russia of attempts to hack their electoral drumbeat of media accounts about contacts between figures (DHS) has a record of spreading false is up to with regard to our elections.” databases last summer and fall. After associated with the Trump campaign and Russians built to a stories about alleged Russian hacking Then he referred to “a variety of scanning hackers had gone after the Illinois and crescendo, albeit without any actual evidence of collusion into U.S. infrastructure, such as the tale activities” and “attempted intrusions” Arizona databases, Ozment said, DHS regarding the e-mail disclosures. of a Russian intrusion into the Burlington, into election-related computers “beyond had provided assistance to many states Vermont electrical utility in December what we knew about in July and August,” But a June 5 story brought the voter-data story back into the head- in detecting attempts to hack their voter 2016 that DHS later admitted was untrue. encouraging the inference that it had been lines. The story, published by The Intercept, accepted at face value registration and other databases. There was another bogus DHS story done by Russian agents. an NSA report dated May 5, 2017, that asserted Russia’s military about Russia hacking into a Springfield, “Any time you more carefully monitor The media then suddenly found unnamed intelligence agency, the GRU, had carried out a spear-phishing at- Illinois water pump in November 2011. a system you’re going to see more sources ready to accuse Russia of hacking tack on a U.S. company providing election-related software and bad guys poking and prodding at it,” had sent e-mails with a malware-carrying word document to 122 So, there’s a pattern here. Plus, election data even while admitting that they he observed, “because they’re always addresses believed to be local government organizations. investigators, assessing the notion lacked evidence. The day after Comey’s poking and prodding.” that Russia hacked into state electoral testimony ABC headlined, “Russia But the highly classified NSA report made no reference to any databases, rejected that suspicion as false State election officials have confirmed Hacking Targeted Nearly Half of States’ evidence supporting such an attribution. The absence of any hint months ago. Last September, Assistant Ozment’s observation. Ken Menzel, the Voter Registration Systems, Successfully of signals intelligence supporting its conclusion makes it clear Secretary of DHS for Cybersecurity Andy general counsel for the Illinois Secretary Infiltrating 4.” The story itself revealed, that the NSA report was based on nothing more than the same Ozment and state officials explained that of State, told this writer, “What’s new however, that it was merely a suspicion kind of inconclusive “indicators” that had been used to establish the intrusions were not carried out by about what happened last year is not that held by “knowledgeable” sources. the original narrative of Russians hacking electoral databases. page 6, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 7 Gainesville marches in solidarity with The story of Grow Gainesville Or, how to start a local food security and community resilience movement national Equality March for Unity and Pride by Faith C . Carr Beginning with: Backyard food production (vegetables, fruit, by Madison Rubert First gather a few people around meat, dairy), and seed security. Then expanding towards health, labor, barter systems (including skill set identification & training). Hundreds of LGBTQ supporters adorned a table, get them a pitcher of beer. in rainbow face paint and flags paraded the Then ask the question, “How can we One by one but in parallel, new groups formed with different streets of Downtown Gainesville to march get more people growing their own individuals taking on leadership focused around their personal in solidarity with the Equality March for food?” Meet up with a small local passions: local seed saving & development of acclimated seed, Unity and Pride in Washington D.C. “prepper” group. Toss in a random home grown meat and communal processing, pollinator and or- bunch of social activists who want to At 1:30 p.m. on June 11, local LGBTQ namental gardening. And a network of sweat equity work parties eat clean healthy food - and a local supporters gathered at Depot Park be- to create, maintain, and harvest with and for each other. food movement is begun. fore the Gainesville Area Equality March Five years and a meeting re-location later, Grow Gainesville for Unity and Pride, a 10-minute walk Create a list of things required for has 4200 Facebook members, over 17 affiliated organizations through S. Main St. towards Bo Diddley community resilience: give it a catchy name. Build a website, cre- and a voice. And a TV show – “What’s Growing On?” TV20 Plaza hosted by the Pride Community ate a Facebook group, and collaborate with that MeetUp group. WCJB – Thursdays at 5:45. Center of North Central Florida. And you have - Grow Gainesville. From the beginning meeting Our July 3rd meeting at our new home at 219 NW 10th Avenue The PCCNF’s main objective is to pro- each other out in the real world was the key to actually making it in the old Powell Plaza featured “Growing Olives at Home” with vide resource and organizational and le- work. Getting people off line – at least once a month in the same Jade Allen. August’s meeting will feature plant nutrition and fall gal connections to members of the LGBT place at the same time. No matter what, someone would be there. preparation talks by Timothy Noyes and John Beville. community, Shirley Rodriguez, secretary That’s how the 3rd Monday Meeting began, February 2012, in the Everybody can grow if we work on it together. “Shovels in the of the PCCNCF said. Photo by Ben Anderson . parking lot of Highlands Presbyterian Church. Ideas were tossed Ground, People!” Grow Gainesville can help you with that. It hosts movie nights, fundraisers and oth- around, plans were made, along with a Barter Market every 3rd “[The Pulse shooting] was really heart “It’s not only the Pulse victims that we Note: Grow Gainesville is NOT an official 501(c)3. er group activities to create a safe space Saturday. Adding Extra Special Workshops as the interest grew. for the most marginalized members of the wrenching for a lot of us in the commu- lost, we have already lost 12 trans people nity,” Rodriguez, 27, said. “All of their this year that have been murdered through Affiliating with every local food production group, organization, Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GrowGainesville/ community, she said. and outlet to create a network of information, assistance, and con- https://www.meetup.com/gainesvillegardeningandprepared- lives were really meaning. It hurts to see hate crimes,” Rodriguez said. D “We are definitely a really important that they were taken away so quickly.” nectivity without competing for members or money. nessnetwork/ resource to have,” Rodriguez said. “I The city of Gainesville has historically think the Pulse massacre last year was a About 300 marchers slowly filled the Bo been leader in advocating for transgen- reminder of how necessary it is to have Diddley Plaza by 2:20 p.m., where 14 dered rights, Warren said. “We are at the Just Health Care’s Response to the Republican Health Care Plan clear spaces specifically for queer people speakers including local social activists leading edge of supporting civil rights pro- such as Faye Williams, Ellie Gaustria and to be with people like them.” tections for all regardless of race and sex.” by Chad Hood and Marilyn Eisenberg, Medicaid expansion essentially ended. Re- calls, have not gotten our Congressional rep- Gainesville City Commissioner Helen The march was held a day after the one- UF junior Ellie Gaustria identifies as an Alachua County Labor Coalition members placed with a capped, per-person amount resentative to yield on his toxic support for Warren spoke to supporters. LGBT advo- that will not come close to covering costs. the Republican Health Care bill. D year anniversary of the Orlando Pulse cacy groups such as Trans Affairs, Tran- indigenous trans-woman of color and has Here is a summary of the damage that night club shooting to commemorate the Quility and Indivisible Gainesville also been a volunteer for the PCCNCF for three would come from the Republican “Repeal Federal payments to Planned Parenthood blocked for one year. lives of the 49 victims, she said. attended the event. years. She was contacted by Terry Fleming and Replace” AHCA bill: July events to support to speak because it was important to him to Increase in the number of uninsured. Over 23 What are we going to do about it? “We wanted to make sure that the major- have a diverse group of speakers. Medicare for all million people will lose health insurance due Demonstrations against Ted Yoho and oth- ity of speakers were centering the voices to cuts in Medicaid and subsidized plans. The Alachua County Labor Coalition of the most marginalized groups in our “Because some of the most marginalized ers. It’s unlikely that we will be able to change Ted Yoho’s mind, but we can at least is spear-heading an effort that might community,” Rodriguez said. people in our community are trans-wom- No protection from out-of-pocket expens- get the Congressman’s attention bet- en of color, it was important that we had es. Annual limits on co-pays, premiums, publicly shame him for the tens of thousands of people who will die as a result of his vote. ter. This is, namely, a series of dem- Warren encouraged the audience become that representation and had that voice,” and other costs abolished. No tax credits onstrations against his largest local politically engaged to protect the rights of Gaustria said. “So I immediately said yes.” for out-of-pocket expenses. Join with others in Florida to get more co- donors. We will have our first on Sat- LGBTQ and minority groups, Pre-existing conditions no longer protect- sponsors for HR-676. There are a record urday morning on July 29. The groups The PCCNF was expecting counter pro- “We have kind of gotten away from the ed. States can opt-out of the previous re- number 112 co-sponsors in the House. We Indivisible and Women’s March will tests from pro-confederacy groups, Ro- are outreaching to other legislative dis- principle of our self-endowed rights to quirement to cover pre-existing conditions, be supporting this effort as well. More driguez said. “We were ready for it, but it tricts in Florida to get more co-sponsors. details to follow. Save the date! Make vote by expecting government and leaders and they can also get waivers to charge didn’t happen.” older patients as much as they want. your signs! to take care of the needs of the communi- Spread the word about single-payer Medi- ty,” Warren said. “The government, really, Rodriguez attributes the large turn-out to Loss of essential medical coverage. States care for All. Two public presentations are In addition, we are celebrating Medi- a tumultuous national climate. “Right now can opt out of the requirement to provide scheduled for June – one through the Dem- care’s Birthday Party this year on the can only do certain things such as provid- ocratic Party and the other through ACLC. people realize how easily our lives can be the 10 essential health benefits established evening of Saturday, July 22. How ing the foundation, but the whole rest of much do you value Medicare? Come the community is dependent on people be- taken away ... a lot of people are willing to by the Affordable Care Act. Collect stories for a health care speak-out in late summer or Fall. NWL (National celebrate your present coverage (which ing engaged in the process to make sure step up and help the LGBT community.” Penalty for not having insurance. No in- is under attack in our present govern- dividual mandate; instead if you go with- Women’s Liberation) is interested in co- people aren’t being oppressed.” Warren said it is essential to continue sponsoring and helping collect stories. We ment), your parents’ coverage, and out insurance then enroll, you pay a 30 what is, or should be, coverage coming Several speakers addressed violence the fight towards inclusion of all gen- percent penalty that profits the insurance are working on modifications to a simpli- fied version of our former survey. up for you. We can no longer take our against the trans community. Many ders, races and sexualities. “It may not be company. Previously those who chose not Medicare or Medicaid for granted. Subscribe $30/year crimes against the trans community go solved in this generation, but we have to to buy insurance paid a tax penalty that Countless encounters in Yoho’s office, Town See MEDICARE, p. 10 unnoticed, Rodriguez said. continue the conversation.” D went into the fund for everyone. Halls, demonstrations, letters and phone page 8, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 9 Prisoners and solidarity groups call for Reality check: Republicans are not simpletons by David M . Roos we elected Trump. He isn’t the problem. An And for all you third-party supporters who National Day of Action Against Prison Slavery former Democratic Party of Virginia staffer unchecked, feckless GOP is the problem! say the two-party system is a failure, hope and Florida Atlantic University student By Gainesville IWW and Fight Toxic Prisons branch of the IWW, FTP, the Green Party and others held a Unless 2018 gives the Senate to the Dems you enjoy a one-party system. Why? Be- OK, America, let me explain a few things Last year prisoners from around the country participated in the demonstration at the gates of the Coleman Federal Corrections and erodes the GOP death grip on the House, cause America is just 18 months away from before this impeachment euphoria gets Sept. 9 National Prisoner Strike, the first of its size and scope Complex near Wildwood in support. you can kiss America goodbye and stop call- finding out what that’s like....unless you be- too out of hand. in U.S. history. The wave of prisoner labor strikes and other Although there were a variety of demands, depending on the ing our nation the Leader of the Free World. gin the work of getting out the vote. D resistance actions on and around that day were led by organized conditions at each facility, most centered around prison labor No, Republicans are not simpletons who groups of prisoners such as the Free Alabama Movement, the conditions. Demands included compensation for uncompensated can’t see Trump is a freakish caricature of a Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, or IWOC, of the forced labor, higher wages for a range of different types of low- president. They don’t care about Trump. If he Thoughts from a local radio-head Industrial Workers of the World labor union (IWW), as well as a pay work, and improvements in safety and other job conditions. hangs by his own petard, so be it. Or, if he is By Joe Courter View the entire grid at WGOT.org, listen large number of unaffiliated prisoners. These demands were summed up by the slogan stencilled on pushed off the impeachment cliff, it matters many banners and signs: “End Prison Slavery!” not to them. He is a useful idiot who will help I grew up with radio and it still is a huge when you can, and, most importantly, The strike was supported on the outside by the IWW, Fight them replace two or three more Supreme part of my life. Fred Sowder is a real hero support them. Punch in 100.1 on your car Toxic Prisons (FTP), Anarchist Black Cross chapters and other On August 19, there is a call for another prisoner-led show of Court justices, one of their four sacred goals. to me for his commitment to WGOT. radio and see what is there. Come to a benefit grassroots groups. Numerous rallies and demonstrations were resistance supported by folks on the outside as well. A coalition at First Magnitude on Sunday August 20, or WGOT.org has a grid of their program- held at prisons around the country. In Florida, the Gainesville of organizations are calling for a “Millions for Prisoners Human First, the GOP wants to move the Su- to the volunteer meeting Sunday, July 23 at Rights March” on Washington, D.C., to be accompanied by preme Court to be permanently conserva- ming, which we have printed in prior is- the Depot Park Boxcar. D actions inside and outside of prisons throughout the United tive, something they can easily accom- sues. As I live on the Eastside, and frank- States. The principal demand of this march and the associated plish in the next four years. ly like most people, unless you live near the transmitter out near Santa Fe College Sponsorship keeps actions is the full and final abolition of slavery in the United Then, the GOP wants to gut every New NW, my car radio is my link. In years to States, by way of removing the “except as a punishment for crime Deal and Great Society social program, community radio vibrant come, streaming and a bigger range will whereof the party shall have been duly convicted” clause from which means killing Medicaid, privatizing By Fred Sowder th be available. My top seven: the 13 Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Other demands Social Security, and weakening Medicare. WGOT Financial Director include Congressional action to curb or eliminate prison labor 1. David Barsamian’s Alternative Radio. Perhaps you listen weekday mornings to the exploitation, price gouging on goods and services for prisoners Their third goal is to enact regressive taxes that make corporate taxes even Timely and important speakers and to me latest news of the day from Amy Goodman and their families, the private, for-profit incarceration industry, more avoidable and remove any tax that essential listening. It used to be on our Pub- on Democracy Now! Or maybe you catch including immigration detention facilities; police impunity doesn’t redistribute wealth to the wealthy. lic Radio station, but was dropped because the jazz selections Sunday mornings on for the murder of people of color and general over-policing of it wasn’t “balanced.” No it isn’t, it is the Jazzville, or the darkwave industrial sounds communities of color, and the ICE detention system’s quotas. Finally, their fourth goal is to decimate the counter-balance to corporate media! Fridays of Shadows at midnight on Saturdays. Or, regulatory power of the Federal govern- If you can’t make it to Washington D.C., join Gainesville IWW, at 7pm, Saturdays at 4pm, Sundays at 1pm. it could be another of the dozens of locally ment, including its control over public lands, FTP, and others for a demonstration on Saturday, Aug. 19 from produced and nationally syndicated Pacifi- healthcare, education, labor law, unions, 2. Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now. A ca Radio Network shows we air each week. 1-4pm at Franklin Correctional Institution in Carrabelle, Florida. postal services, civil rights, and voting pro- great daily hour of news, including 10 to This demonstration is called to show support and solidarity for the 100.1 FM WGOT-LP is your community tections. Basically, their dream of shrinking 15 minutes of headlines followed by in- Millions for Prisoners March, as well for prisoners inside Franklin radio station, and we can continue to thrive the Federal government is within their grasp. terviews, available Mondays thru Fridays and other Florida institutions who are organizing to fight back 8am, 1pm, and 4pm. with your help and that of local businesses. against prison slavery and other forms of abuse. Meet at the Civic So, Trump twisting in the wind is just a Our studio crowdfunding campaign is on- Media Center (433 S. Main St. in Gainesville) at 9:45a.m. to carpool party favor for them as they tear down 3. Counterpoise Radio. a timely lecture going; details can be found on the WGOT and caravan up to FCI, about 3 hours away in the Panhandle. the temple. Imagine the GOP torching the or discussion culled from the wealth of Facebook page. A donation of any size will Capitol, then barricading all roads to stop speakers available on the internet. Airs ev- get us that much closer to providing you For more information, please check out Fight Toxic Prisons on firemen from getting close enough to fight ery Friday at 7am, 2pm and 5pm. live programming originating from the Civ- Facebook, or visit the following web pages: ic Media Center studios under construction. the fires. They need Trump in office long 4. Stripped and Stripped Music, a two http://www.iamweubuntu.com/millions-for-prisoners-human- enough to get their bills signed and when hour block hosted by Fred Sowder, with In recent weeks, we've had several busi- rights.html the inevitable happens, they get Pence, a talk in the first hour and music in the nesses come on board as sponsors of pro- smoother, smarter vandal than Trump. gramming on WGOT. For as little as $100 https://incarceratedworkers.org/campaigns/a19-millions- second, airs Wednesdays at 5-7pm, and D So, stop begging Republicans to interrupt their Saturdays from 9-11pm. per month (or in some cases even less), prisoners-march-and-strike you can get your on-air announcement to orgy of right-wing looting and pillaging. They 5. Afropop World-wide, also used to be on the progressive community of Gainesville. From MEDICARE, p. 9 aren’t listening to you or any of your protests! our public radio. Great mix of music and Send us a Facebook message or email us at The only thing that can stop them is the 2018 Come join us in this evening, to learn how it might be possible analysis, quite insightful. Airs Tuesdays at [email protected] for more info. midterm elections! And even then, they have to expand Medicare to all of us by hearing fiery and articulate 3 and 6pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Most important is our reliance on vol- Congressional candidate, Tim Canova from South Florida, who gerrymandered to the point that only a com- plete electoral shift and Democratic Party 6. And yes Music. There is a wide variety unteers. People like you greatly help our will help us host this event. If Ted Yoho agrees to join us, we will cause by hosting their own programs, have a rousing debate you will not want to miss. tsunami to the polls will change the outcome. of music on WGOT, but acoustic music They don’t think Trump is endangering Amer- is my favorite so these are mine. First providing technical support, or helping Again, save the date and keep your eyes peeled for more details. ica. He is their boy while they “save” America is locally produced by HR Gertner: the with marketing and social media. Join Bring your stories and your outrage. If you want to help us orga- us at our next volunteer meeting on Sun- nize or get more details, call the Alachua County Labor Coali- by destroying the Federal Government. Red Pony Music Hour on Fridays at 3 and 6pm, and then Sundays at noon and 5pm. day, July 23 at 1pm at the outdoor Boxcar tion at 375-2832 or email us at [email protected]. When more than half the registered voters space at Depot Park. Grassroots indepen- For those of us here for the hot Gainesville summer, the sum- thought email servers, Russian fake-news 7. Heartbeat True Radio. I hear new stuff dent media is now more important than mer has just gotten a little hotter. Let’s get a mob at both events! plants, Bernie bros, Clinton fatigue, and all the time on both this and HR’s show. ever, and we hope we can count on your Show that you care. D sheer apathy were worth staying home for, Thursdays at 3pm, Sundays at 2pm. support. Thank you. D page 10, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 11

the authority to determine their school Florida just passed its second anti-science law this month textbooks, which must conform to Florida by Matt Higgins religious liberty law prohibits school officials from punishing educational standards – a contradiction that students whose coursework contains “religious expressions.” left many feeling confused and uncertain This was originally published on June 28 by Occupy .com . Learn about the future of the law. more at www .occupy .com . The sponsor of that bill, Florida State Sen. Dennis Baxley, is the former president of the Christian Coalition of Florida, a Teachers like Haught fear they could Florida’s governor signed a law Monday night undermining conservative political organization that seeks to “educate and be pressured by principals to teach both accepted scientific theories about climate change, evolution and mobilize Christians for effective political action.” evolution and creationism in science class, vaccination. The measure continues a trend in Florida and other Baxley contends the bill is designed to protect students’ religious or fear losing their jobs. Tenure for Florida conservative states where lawmakers are seeking to quash fact- school teachers was eliminated in 2011. and reason-based scientific consensus. beliefs, but critics fear it may enable teachers or students to deny evolution or climate change on the basis of religion. Disputing accepted scientific consensus “It sows the seeds of doubt of what science is,” Brandon Haught, Three-day performance art festival “The threat is, if a school goes along with this, a teacher might be has already led to public health crises and a Florida high school science teacher and the communications environmental degradation. director of Florida Citizens for Science, told Occupy.com. pressured and would confuse students,” Haught said. covers downtown Gainesville The similarly patterned “instructional materials” law, which In June 2016, Miami school officials H.B. 989, the “instructional materials” bill that Gov. Rick Scott discovered an eight-year-old student was signed this week, follows a separate bill, S.B. 436, known as also goes into effect July 1, was shaped by the Florida Citizens 32 performances span theatre, music, Alliance Group, a conservative organization based in Naples, suffering symptoms of measles. Later the “religious liberty” law, which also passed the Florida State tests confirmed the diagnosis. The child storytelling, comedy, other mediums Legislature and received Scott’s approval earlier this month. The Fla. That district is represented by Rep. Byron Donalds, a sponsor of the bill. had not been vaccinated and had come By GUT Fest organizers into contact with up to 100 people. In the group’s 11-page report outlining its objections to current This summer, Gainesville will host an underground performance art festival. state textbooks and curricula, it called a video about climate Like the new mandates handed down by change “political indoctrination” and objected that the biblical Scott Pruitt at the U.S. Environmental Pro- Gainesville Underground Theatre Festival will assemble 32 performances and a account of the world’s creation wasn’t formally included in tection Agency, Gov. Scott has reportedly community panel over the weekend of July 21-23. the lessons. Rep. Donalds did not respond to a request for an instructed employees of Florida’s Depart- Performances will be held at The Civic Media Center, M.A.M.A.’s Club, Black C interview on the subject. ment of Environmental Protection to avoid Art Gallery, The Atlantic, High Dive and the Boxcar at Depot Park. The instructional materials law allows any resident of a school using the term climate change. All programming is free and open to the public, thanks to a sponsorship from district – not limited to parents – to petition the local school board In response to Scott’s long-standing refusal the UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere with support from the for a hearing before a hearing officer whose qualifications aren’t to accept the scientific consensus on global Rothman Endowment. listed in the law, other than being “qualified,” “unbiased” and warming, 10 scientists from universities Director Matt Bratko said GUTFest artists are encouraged to risk it all. independent of the district school board. But school boards retain across the state signed a letter to the governor in 2014 stating that climate “There exists in Gainesville too few opportunities to come together as a community change “is already affecting the American to passionately share what we care about, what we see reflected in the world around people in far-reaching ways. This includes us, what unites us and what divides us. GUTFest exists to fill that hole: to give more frequent and/or intense extreme emergent performance artists of all disciplines the space to create risky, diverse art. The art created at GUTFest will both pose and answer invaluable questions of what weather events, more acidic oceans, and JULY it means to exist in this time, in this city, in this culture,” Bratko said. The Delta Troubadours rising sea levels.” 14 Nearly all genres of performative art will be featured at GUTFest. Rock, Blues Rock, Garage Rock The letter stated “unambiguous evidence” 21 Wax Wings that these changes are due to the Local artist Natasha Home will build a sound sculpture installation to accompany Jazz, Folk burning of fossil fuels and widespread her vocal performance. 28 Bridget Kelly ~ We no longer have a Happy Hour ~ deforestation. Rising sea levels already Carly Shooster will perform a stand-up act carved from her own experiences as a Blues threaten coastal communities like Miami young woman in Gainesville. uesday with increased flooding, increased salt T Sally B. Dash will host a revue of classy and sassy burlesque antics. AUGUST Free Comedy Showcase starting at 8:30 water intrusion into the drinking water 4 The Irie Ones Tankard prices are $5-$7 supply, and damage to the agriculture and Several artists will travel to Gainesville from across the country, including New York Reggae Wednesday marine industries. surrealist country musician Dougie Poole, Phoenix’s Kolezanka and Akin Yai of Paris. 11 Savants of Soul Wine is BOGO (rather than half off) But Florida is hardly alone in its enact- Sunday’s programming will include a community panel to discuss Gainesville’s Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Punk, Ska Weekly Foosball tournament with no entry fee and prizes for 1st and ment of anti-science legislation. In 2008, role as an emergent arts center. 18 Captive Eddies 2nd place (starts at 8pm) with $8 domestic pitchers for players Louisiana passed the euphemistically Local artists and organizers like Davis Hart, director of Gainesville record label Original Rock, Reggae, Roots hursday named Louisiana Science Act, which al- Elestial Sound, and Paul Gabbard, local playwright, actor and radio show host, will T lows “alternative materials” to be taught answer questions about how Gainesville can become a more hospitable place for a 25 The Shambles Gainesville Language Exchange (with $3 domestic pints and $5 Classic Rock tankards) in science classes. growing arts scene and the responsibilities of local artists and organizers to shape a city’s growth. y In 2012, Tennessee passed a similar law. SEPTEMBER Sunda And earlier this year, the Idaho House and Gabbard will perform with his Y-Not Theatre company in addition to his appear- Now "Nerdy Sunday" with an ongoing in house D and D game 1 Heavy Petty/Hedges Senate education committees temporar- ance as a panelist. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute & Originals Other groups interested in meeting up for other RPG, table top, or ily eliminated standards that referenced video game tournaments “GUTFest provides an essential need for local artists: connectivity,” he said. 8 The Duppies human activity as the cause of climate Ska, Reggae change, but those changes could become Learn more at https://gutfestgnv.wixsite.com/2017 or Http://Facebook.com/ GUTFestGNV D 111 E. University Ave. All shows may be subject to change permanent after being revisited by the legislature in 2018. D page 14, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 15 From CHOMSKY, p. 1 Quite generally, that’s how the Trump ad- an essential role, in changing the world, media support. There’s good reason to have been, and remained, front-page news. standpoint of others. And direct exposure ism has for more than 50 years provided ministration deals with a truly existential and philosophers, including in the analyt- suppose that Sanders would have won the The authors, highly respected analysts, is never very far away, wherever we live unparalleled insight and challenges to the threat to survival of organized human life: ic tradition, have undertaken that effort, nomination had it not been for shenani- observe that the nuclear weapons modern- — perhaps the homeless person huddling American and global political systems. ban regulations and even research and dis- in their philosophical work as well as in gans of the Obama-Clinton party manag- ization program has increased “the over- in the cold or asking for a few pennies for Our conversation, as it appears here, took cussion of environmental threats and race to their activist lives — Bertrand Russell, to ers. He is now the most popular political all killing power of existing U.S. ballistic food, or all too many more. place as a series of email exchanges over the precipice as quickly as possible (in the mention a prominent example. figure in the country by a large margin. missile forces by a factor of roughly three G.Y.: I appreciate and second your point the past two months. Although Professor interests of short-term profit and power). G.Y.: Yes. Russell was a philosopher and Activism spawned by the campaign is — and it creates exactly what one would about exposure to the suffering of others expect to see, if a nuclear-armed state were Chomsky was extremely busy, because G.Y.: In this regard, I find Trumpism to a public intellectual. In those terms, how beginning to make inroads into electoral not being far away. Returning to Trump, planning to have the capacity to fight and of our past intellectual exchange, he gra- be a bit suicidal. do you describe yourself? politics. Under Barack Obama, the Dem- I take it that you view him as fundamen- win a nuclear war by disarming enemies tally unpredictable. I certainly do. Should ciously provided time for this interview. N.C.: Of course, ridicule is not enough. N.C.: I don’t really think about it, frankly. ocratic Party pretty much collapsed at the with a surprise first strike.” we fear a nuclear exchange of any sort in Professor Chomsky is the author of nu- It’s necessary to address the concerns and I engage in the kinds of work and activi- crucial local and state levels, but it can The significance is clear. It means that in our contemporary moment? merous best-selling political works, trans- beliefs of those who are taken in by the ties that seem important and challenging be rebuilt and turned into a progressive a moment of crisis, of which there are all lated into scores of languages. Among his fraud, or who don’t recognize the nature to me. Some of it falls within these cat- force. That would mean reviving the New N.C.: I do, and I’m hardly the only per- too many, Russian military planners may most recent books are “Hegemony or Sur- and significance of the issues for other egories, as usually understood. Deal legacy and moving well beyond, in- son to have such fears. Perhaps the most stead of abandoning, the working class conclude that lacking a deterrent, the only vival,” “Failed States,” “Hopes and Pros- reasons. If by philosophy we mean rea- prominent figure to express such con- G.Y.: There are times when the sheer and turning into Clintonite New Demo- hope of survival is a first strike — which pects,” “Masters of Mankind” and “Who soned and thoughtful analysis, then it cerns is William Perry, one of the leading magnitude of human suffering feels un- crats, which more or less resemble what means the end for all of us. Rules the World?” He has been institute can address the moment, though not by contemporary nuclear strategists, with bearable. As someone who speaks to so used to be called moderate Republicans, a professor emeritus at the Massachusetts confronting the “alternative facts” but by G.Y.: Frightening to the born. many years of experience at the highest much suffering in the world, how do you category that has largely disappeared with level of war planning. He is reserved and Institute of Technology since 1976. analyzing and clarifying what is at stake, N.C.: In these cases, citizen action can bear witness to this and yet maintain the the shift of both parties to the right during cautious, not given to overstatement. He whatever the issue is. Beyond that, what reverse highly dangerous programs. It — George Yancy strength to go on? the neoliberal period. has come out of semiretirement to de- is needed is action: urgent and dedicated, can also press Washington to explore dip- clare forcefully and repeatedly that he is George Yancy: Given our “post-truth” in the many ways that are open to us. N.C.: Witnessing it is enough to provide Such prospects may not be out of reach, lomatic options — which are available terrified both at the extreme and mount- political moment and the growing au- G.Y.: When I was an undergraduate phi- the motivation to go on. And nothing is and efforts to attain them can be combined — instead of the near reflexive resort to ing threats and by the failure to be con- thoritarianism we are witnessing under losophy student at the University of Pitts- more inspiring to see how poor and suf- with direct activism right now, urgently force and coercion in other areas, includ- cerned about them. In his words, “Today, President Trump, what public role do you burgh, where I was trained in the analytic fering people, living under conditions needed, to counter the legislative and ex- ing North Korea and Iran. the danger of some sort of a nuclear ca- think professional philosophy might play tradition, it wasn’t clear to me what phi- incomparably worse than we endure, ecutive actions of the Republican adminis- G.Y.: But what is it, Noam, as you con- tastrophe is greater than it was during the in critically addressing this situation? losophy meant beyond the clarification of continue quietly and unpretentiously with tration, often concealed behind the bluster courageous and committed struggle for tinue to engage critically a broad range Cold War, and most people are blissfully Noam Chomsky: We have to be a little concepts. Yet I have held onto the Marx- of the figure nominally in charge. justice and dignity. of injustices, that motivates this sense of unaware of this danger.” cautious about not trying to kill a gnat ian position that philosophy can change There are in fact many ways to combat the social justice for you? Are there any reli- In 1947, Bulletin of the Atomic Scien- with an atom bomb. The performances the world. Any thoughts on the capacity G.Y.: If you had to list two or three forms Trump project of creating a tiny America, gious motivations that frame your social tists established its famous Doomsday are so utterly absurd regarding the “post- of philosophy to change the world? of political action that are necessary un- isolated from the world, cowering in justice work? If not, why not? truth” moment that the proper response der the Trump regime, what would they fear behind walls while pursuing the Clock, estimating how far we are from N.C.: I am not sure just what Marx had N.C.: No religious motivations, and for might best be ridicule. For example, be? I ask because our moment feels so in- Paul Ryan-style domestic policies that midnight: termination. In 1947, the ana- in mind when he wrote that “philoso- sound reasons. One can contrive a reli- Stephen Colbert’s recent comment is credibly hopeless and repressive. represent the most savage wing of the lysts set the clock at seven minutes to phers have hitherto only interpreted the gious motivation for virtually any choice apropos: When the Republican legislature Republican establishment. midnight. In 1953, they moved the hand world in various ways; the point is to N.C.: I don’t think things are quite that of action, from commitment to the high- of North Carolina responded to a scientific to two minutes to midnight after the U.S. change it.” Did he mean that philosophy bleak. Take the success of the Bernie G.Y.: What are the weightiest issues est ideals to support for the most horren- and U.S.S.R. exploded hydrogen bombs. study predicting a threatening rise in sea could change the world, or that philoso- Sanders campaign, the most remarkable facing us? dous atrocities. In the sacred texts, we can Since then it has oscillated, never again level by barring state and local agencies phers should turn to the higher priority of feature of the 2016 election. It is, after N.C.: The most important issues to ad- find uplifting calls for peace, justice and reaching this danger point. In January, from developing regulations or planning changing the world? If the former, then he all, not all that surprising that a billionaire dress are the truly existential threats we mercy, along with the most genocidal pas- shortly after Trump’s inauguration, the documents to address the problem, presumably meant philosophy in a broad showman with extensive media backing face: climate change and nuclear war. On sages in the literary canon. Conscience is hand was moved to two and a half min- Colbert responded: “This is a brilliant sense of the term, including analysis of (including the liberal media, entranced by the former, the Republican leadership, in our guide, whatever trappings we might utes to midnight, the closest to terminal solution. If your science gives you a result the social order and ideas about why it his antics and the advertising revenue it splendid isolation from the world, is al- choose to clothe it in. disaster since 1953. By this time analysts that you don’t like, pass a law saying the should be changed, and how. In that broad afforded) should win the nomination of most unanimously dedicated to destroy- were considering not only the rising threat result is illegal. Problem solved.” sense, philosophy can play a role, indeed the ultra-reactionary Republican Party. G.Y.: Returning to the point about bear- ing the chances for decent survival; strong ing witness to so much suffering, what of nuclear war but also the firm dedication The Sanders campaign, however, broke words, but no exaggeration. There is a do you recommend I share with many of the Republican organization to acceler- dramatically with over a century of U.S. great deal that can be done at the local and of my undergraduate students such that ate the race to environmental catastrophe. political history. Extensive political sci- state level to counter their malign project. they develop the capacity to bear wit- Perry is right to be terrified. And so ence research, notably the work of Thomas On nuclear war, actions in Syria and at the ness to forms of suffering that are worse should we all be, not least because of the Ferguson, has shown convincingly that Russian border raise very serious threats than we endure? Many of my students are person with his finger on the button and elections are pretty much bought. For ex- of confrontation that might trigger war, just concerned with graduating and often his surreal associates. ample, campaign spending alone is a re- seem oblivious to world suffering. an unthinkable prospect. Furthermore, G.Y.: markably good predictor of electoral suc- Yet despite his unpredictability, Trump’s pursuit of Obama’s programs N.C.: My suspicion is that those who Trump has a strong base. What makes for cess, and support of corporate power and of modernization of the nuclear forces seem oblivious to suffering, whether it is this kind of servile deference? private wealth is a virtual prerequisite even poses extraordinary dangers. As we have nearby or in remote corners, are for the N.C.: I’m not sure that “servile deference” for participation in the political arena. recently learned, the modernized U.S. nu- most part unaware, perhaps blinded by is the right phrase, for a number of reasons. The Sanders campaign showed that a can- clear force is seriously fraying the slender doctrine and ideology. For them, the an- For example, who is the base? Most are rela- didate with mildly progressive (basically thread on which survival is suspended. swer is to develop a critical attitude to- tively affluent. Three-quarters had incomes New Deal) programs could win the nomi- The matter is discussed in detail in a criti- ward articles of faith, secular or religious; above the median. About one-third had in- nation, maybe the election, even without cally important article in Bulletin of the to encourage their capacity to question, the backing of the major funders or any Atomic Scientists in March, which should to explore, to view the world from the See CHOMSKY, p. 18 page 16, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 17 From CHOMSKY, p. 17 For the majority of the base, Trump and the more savage wing From CAMPAIGN, p. 1 comes of over $100,000 a year, and thus were in the top 15 percent of of the Republican establishment are not far from their standard disenfranchisement strikes deeply in the Friends of Susan B. Anthony to celebrate personal income, in the top 6 percent of those with only a high school attitudes, though when we turn to specific policy preferences, social framework of our communities, and education. They are overwhelmingly white, mostly older, hence from more complex questions arise. the time is now to address and rectify this Women’s Equality Day 2017 historically more privileged sectors. A segment of the Trump base comes from the industrial sector that gross injustice. The Friends of Susan B. Anthony Nagy, Director of the Harn Museum will celebrate Women’s Equality Day of Art. She will be talking about As Anthony DiMaggio reports in a careful study of the wealth of has been cast aside for decades by both parties, often from rural According to The Sentencing Project, a non- with their annual festive luncheon on “Commanding Center Stage: Women in information now available, Trump voters tend to be typical Repub- areas where industry and stable jobs have collapsed. Many voted profit organization committed to criminal Saturday, Aug. 26. American Art Museums Today “ and will licans, with “elitist, pro-corporate and reactionary social agendas,” for Obama, believing his message of hope and change, but were justice reform, Florida holds the highest per- explore the progress women have made in and “an affluent, privileged segment of the country in terms of quickly disillusioned and have turned in desperation to their bitter centage in the nation of people who cannot This event, which began as an informal being represented in museum collections their income, but one that is relatively less privileged than it was in class enemy, clinging to the hope that somehow its formal leader vote due to a felony conviction. 10.4 percent birthday party for Susan B. Anthony the past, before the 2008 economic collapse,” hence feeling some will come to their rescue. of Florida’s residents are disenfranchised over forty years ago, is now held in and assuming directorial positions. economic distress. Median income has dropped almost 10 percent from participating fully in their communi- conjunction with the anniversary of the The luncheon will be held at the Best Another consideration is the current information system, if one can th since 2007. That’s apart from the large evangelical segment and even use the phrase. For much of the base, the sources of informa- ties. Additionally, Florida grants clemency to passage of the 19 Amendment giving Western Gateway Grand at 11:30 a.m., putting aside the factors of white supremacy — deeply rooted in the tion are Fox News, talk radio and other practitioners of alternative only 8 percent of those individuals who seek women the right to vote. and will cost $25 for an adult. United States — racism and sexism. facts. Exposures of Trump’s misdeeds and absurdities that arouse re-instatement of their voting rights through a Each year a local woman is recognized For further information and reservations, liberal opinion are easily interpreted as attacks by the corrupt elite lengthy and onerous process before the state. who exemplifies the spirit of Susan B. please contact June Littler at fosba@fosba. This ranks far below Kentucky at 86 percent on the defender of the little man, in fact his cynical enemy. Anthony. This year, Kathy Kidder will be com or at 352-374-8158; or go to www. and Iowa at 93 percent, the only other states DRIVE THRU G.Y.: How does the lack of critical intelligence operate here, that honored for her contribution to civic edu- fosba.com. Reservation deadline is August which impose a life-time ban on those con- & CALL-INS is, the sort that philosopher John Dewey saw as essential for a cation and role as president and member- 22, and no tickets will be sold at the door. victed of felony charges. ship chair of the League of Women Voters. Two locations: democratic citizenry? Last year’s luncheon was sold out, so N.C.: We might ask other questions about critical intelligence. For The Voting Restoration Amendment will The featured speaker will be Dr. Rebecca please make your reservation early. D 407 NW 12th St. automatically restore the voting rights of 5011 NW 34th St. liberal opinion, the political crime of the century, as it is some- times called, is Russian interference in American elections. The Floridians with non-violent felony convic- effects of the crime are undetectable, unlike the massive effects of tions after they have completed all terms of Open: Mon-Fri 7 am-10 pm their sentencing, including parole or pro- Sat-Sun 9 am-10 pm interference by corporate power and private wealth, not consid- ered a crime but the normal workings of democracy. That’s even bation. We are all volunteers committed putting aside the record of U.S. “interference” in foreign elections, to getting this on the 2018 ballot. We need Russia included; the word “interference” in quotes because it is so your help; please join our efforts! laughably inadequate, as anyone with the slightest familiarity with We provide all you need to get started, recent history must be aware. including training. Contact Heidi Harris, G.Y.: That certainly speaks to our nation’s contradictions. [email protected], now to get connected to the campaign here in Alachua N.C.: Is Russian hacking really more significant than what we and surrounding counties. have discussed — for example, the Republican campaign to de- stroy the conditions for organized social existence, in defiance Join our Facebook group “Say Yes to Second of the entire world? Or to enhance the already dire threat of ter- Chances, Alachua County” to connect with minal nuclear war? Or even such real but lesser crimes such as others and stay informed of upcoming the Republican initiative to deprive tens of millions of health events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ care and to drive helpless people out of nursing homes in order FloridaVoterRightsRestoration/ to enrich their actual constituency of corporate power and wealth The petition can be downloaded from: even further? Or to dismantle the limited regulatory system set https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy. up to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis that their favor- com/sign-the-petition ites are likely to bring about once again? And on, and on. WE’VE MOVED! To quickly come up to speed on the It’s easy to condemn those we place on the other side of some situation in Florida and become a divide, but more important, commonly, to explore what we D more knowledgeable petitioner, take take to be nearby. a look at the following: https://www. brennancenter.org/publication/florida- First Magnitude Brewing Co. outlier-denying-voting-rights Saturday, July 22, 6-10pm And take a look back at the following three Repurpose Project Fundraiser Iguana articles on this topic: Friday, July 28 “Florida’s Voting Rights Restoration Artwalk Amendment Raising awareness of the per- WE’VE MOVED! Saturday, Aug. 19 vasiveness and horrible effects of disen- 3 year Anniversary of franchisement,” by Julie Thaler, April 2017 First Magnitude “Update: Voting Rights Restoration Sunday, Aug. 20 A destination game store and parlor. Initiative,” by Heidi Harris, May 2017 WGOT benefit show 4401 NW 25th Pl., Suite G, Gainesville, FL 32605 (access from NW 43rd St) Friday, Aug. 25 “Restoration of Civil Rights Project in 352-378-PLAY (7529) fmbrewing.com Artwalk Florida,” by Ben Silva, Gator Law ACLU, Find us online at gainesvilletabletop.com and Facebook November 2015 D page 18, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 19 Because I had enough nursing stuff. When the sun blazing on you all day. You had smiling. I don't know what she is smiling History and the people who make it: Linda Lee my grandmamma got sick, my mom made to pick up at least twenty-eight pound to at me for. I started crying. I said, she ain’t four of us go get nursing skills. She said, thirty pound basket and set it over here. smiling at you. She’s smiling at the Lord. Linda Lee [L], activist with the National we were pulling weeds out of corn, and You come home. Soak in some aloe wa- my mama ain’t going to nobody’s nursing And you got to cut another one and put And sure enough when they opened the Farmworkers’ Association, was interviewed what they call a caladium flower. They ter. Put some corn husking lotion on. Next home and she didn’t. it on there. Then you got to put in on the door, my sister was dead. So I decided to by Brittany Nelson [N] in July, 2013 . pretty but I don’t like them. day you back to work with your hands We did a little training, my sister, Nima, truck too, because we had women crews. make sure—I promised the Lord—give This is the 41st in a series of transcript sore and hurting up. Think of doing that The flowers was in the summer time, we me, and Isabel, because we had to have The only thing the men came to do was to me the strength to finish this quilt. it's to excerpts from the Samuel Proctor Oral for a whole three months. did that, after we got out of school. Sat- somebody to not only to see about grand- drive the truck to the packing house. bring awareness of the chemicals that we History Program collection at the urday and Sunday we went there packing I worked it from about [19]68 to ’88. My mother, but see about mother too. My N: About the Farmworkers Association, have worked so hard in. University of Florida . corn or cutting cabbages or cucumbers or grandson was born then and my mom mama had been bedridden since I was do you feel like they have made any im- And we are forgotten. You go get the food whatever they were doing we jumped in died and things got hairy for me. I started Transcript edited by Pierce Butler . about sixteen or seventeen years old. She provements? out of the store and eat and, well who and tried to make a little extra money. working two jobs. L: My name is Linda Deloris Lee at got some kind of sore on her leg and it L: Not when I was in the field, but now picked this corn for me? Who picked this Apopka, Florida. I was born and raised My grandfather drove a truck and he I worked in the nursing home. I worked in never got well. I had a dog, and that dog they are improving. A lot of wash stations tomato? What they were going through [here]. We grew all kind of animals, would pick us up, maybe about six, seven the hospital, because mostly my parents licked that sore, and it actually got well. in the field. And all the pesticides training when they were picking this? Because a lot ducks, geese, guinea pigs, chicken, hogs, went to getting sick. My grandparents. N: Would you say that the community and stuff is going on now, which we didn't people who have worked in the fields who cows—my dad and grandfather—both When my grandmamma got real sick, she in Apopka is a strong one for support- have. It was mostly African Americans, were actually sick. Had headaches. A lot of of them grew animals. Both had vegeta- was dead in this house. She died in ’82. We ing one another? and that made a lot of them mad and they pregnant women. A lot of people who were had to keep feeding her with a tube and all. wracked in pain in the field, but yet still bles— corn, greens, peas, okra, tomatoes, L: We need more people pulling together, wouldn't come to the meeting because, a lot of different stuff, so we didn’t go My grandmamma got sick one Friday. We only a lot of stuff for the Mexicans and the they worked to try to make a living. took her to the doctor. She lived twelve because not only the farm affected every- hungry. There was eight of us, seven girls body, chemicals and stuff, but they got a Guatemalans and all. We didn't have none N: So do you make a quilt for every and one boy. My brother used to hang years and two days after the man said she of that. Nothing was being done. They was going to die. We kept feeding her, kept water thing down here. And the landfill person that passes? around with my daddy, doing farm work that’s behind it. And [the] Incinerator. got tired of it. That’s why a lot people and a little hunting and stuff in the sum- bathing her, kept talking to her. She’ll smile cut away from the Farmworkers Associa- L: I try to get as many people that I knew mer time. And also working on the farm. at you, but she wouldn’t say nary a word. N: For the biomedical waste? tion. I try to work with it, and try to bring in Apopka that lost a loved one, that For twelve years. I got sick in [19]80. It worked on the farm. But I missed a lot of My mom and them went to Marianna, L: Yes. It smells so horrible. Behind Lake awareness because the chemicals they us- start out with appendicitis. I went to work. ing all around us. people because a lot of them had already Florida, before they came down here, Joe kept telling me, something wrong with Jewell was flat. You go to Lake Jewell died. Jip worked at the farm. My uncle and they were staying in what they called you. Your eyes are turned gray. now, you see that big old mountain. How N: The quilt project, is that where you got worked on the farm. And all his children, did they build that waste stuff up that camp, a lot of little bitty small houses in your inspiration, a memorial for that? Coles, Pop, Erlien and Fredric. One day N: Your brother? high? But they did. one little area. When the season go down, L: The memorial’s after my sister Margie [Jip’s] brother fell dead at the back door. there is nothing to do. They said some L: No, a friend. He kept saying your eyes Then they had the bird kill and a fish kill. died. Margie was not sick. She kept say- One of the sons died on the front porch. man was bumming off other people. He in the morning. We picking by the piece, were brown, but now they are turning gray. I'm trying to get a lot of more healthcare ing the doctor said, I'm fat. That's all. That Coles died on the front porch as well. Er- had a wife and some kids. Mother was we start earlier because we’ve got to cut So I’m going, I feel all right, and I went to to come into this area because my daugh- Thursday, she said, let me borrow your car. lien, she happened to die in the hospital. saying this particular day he stole a loaf like twelve thousand, or twenty thousand, sleep on the sofa. I woke up just throwing ter has asthma, but my grandchildren— I told her, I'm going to let Amanda take Jip died in the house. In her bed. Pop was of bread and something for the kids. That whatever, you try to go ahead and get from up and throwing up. He said, we are going I've got quite a few—they have what they you, which is my daughter. They came almost dead before we took him to the night, the KKK came with fires, and out the sun. Sometimes you might come to the hospital right now. They kept me be- call eczema. home by 12:30. Call her at 4:00. She didn’t hospital. The whole family. Worked it on sheets, and stuff. They went to burning up with a muck storm, muck be all up your cause I couldn’t keep nothing down. The answer. I called Net, my daughter, and said the farm, not only here, but they went to down the house. Pulled him, pull the wife next day my appendix burst. The doctor said N: Has your daughter even been in- nose, all in your eyes, all in your ears. You volved with farming at all? go around there, and see if Margie is home. Ohio, to New York, and on down south. out and tie her to the stake. Set it on fire can get cut with a knife when you cutting I worked so much, that I didn’t feel no pain. She said mama, she ain’t home. I said, Net, They constantly worked on the farm. Ev- and burn her and the baby and all. Burn stuff, and if you go to the doctor they just N: Would you say that your exposure to L: Yes, she has. break that door in. When the men went in ery last one of them. My whole family on him, the children, all them. going to bandage it up and tell you go back pesticides, or people in your family, has When you go down in the field you do the window he had the phone in his hand. that side died out. Because it was racist stuff, it wasn’t in the to work. We didn’t have no running wa- affected their health? some real hard work. Just think about He said, Ms. Linda, she laying on the bed See ORAL HISTORY, p. 24 ter in the field. Sometimes you go to eat, paper. They said Papa grabbed whatever L: Um-hm. From my grandfather to my it would be so dirty and you just had to clinic primarily serves residents of Alachua, little clothes they could grab, and came grandmother, to my dad to my brother. My drink muck water, and eat your food. We Bradford and Union Counties. The Clinic fulfills down the railroad tracks. They started to sisters too. I have seen grandmother and work in pulp wood. They stayed in the did not realize that we were being exposed Iguana Directory its mission with the help of a broad-based core of Papa get so they could hardly move. It just volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, hygienists, little quarters behind a furniture store. to DDT, back then in the [19]60s. We can hurt my heart to think about it. Then my Call 352-378-5655 or email [email protected] with updates and additions They worked enough to buy the money be in a field, like we sitting here, and the pharmacists and counselors. Located at 23320 N. sister Margie. Jerliene—she another Schaf- State Rd 235 Brooker, Florida 32622 352-485-1133 to get this property here. See where that tractor come right by. Spray all over you. Readers: If there is inaccurate information here, alachuagreens.weebly.com, alachuagreens@ fer. She died. My brother died from black American Civil Liberties Union Currently no fence start back that way, all the way to They could have at least told us don’t lung disease. Which there is no coal mine please let us know . If you are connected to an gmail.com, 352-871-1995 organization listed here, please check and update local chapter. For info on forming a new chapter, that road, was my father’s property. They come in until later in the day because we that I know of in Florida. He worked it on Alachua County Labor Coalition meets bought the land for fifty-cent per acre. I so others can be accurately informed . or ACLU info, contact Jax office 904-353-7600 are going to spray, or something. They the farm. When them people told me he monthly and organizes to support local labor or [email protected] got the deeds and everything. After the never told us that. They just sprayed with had black lung disease, I am going, where Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc. Protecting and advance the national campaigns for pulp mill went out of business, they start- Amnesty International UF campus chapter of us out in the fields. did he get that from? Now, we worked North Central Florida’s natural, scenic, Medicare for All and a living wage. Contact: http://laborcoalition.org/, info@laborcoalition. worldwide human rights movement; www.facebook. ed working on the farm. Papa became the down where we can’t work no more. I been historic & recreational resources for over 25 crewleader and all the family, my aunt N: Has it changed at all? years. ACT is the 2013 national Land Trust org, 352-375-2832, PO Box 12051, 901 NW 8th com/ufamnesty or [email protected]. diagnosed with lupus, and I had implants Excellence award recipient. 352-373-1078. Ave., Suite A1, Gainesville, 32604 and my mama, and my brother and all the L: Yes it has. Now they have got their Avian Research and Conservation Institute both in my eyes. I had a gall bladder op- AlachuaConservationTrust.org (ARCI) is a on-profit research organization kids we worked. We hoed chicory, esca- stations in the field, and they got to wear eration, besides the appendicitis, part of Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs role, spinach, kale and stuff like that. Alachua County Green Party Part of a (ACORN) Clinic is a not-for- profit (501C3) working to stimulate conservation action to save gloves and masks and all. Nobody asked my stomach collapsed on me one time. I threatened species of birds in the southeastern us to wear masks. We wore gloves when worldwide movement built out of four interrelated organization that provides low-cost, high-quality Papa and them use to set turtle lines, [in] have got a kidney. I had the tube in me for social pillars that support its politics: the peace, medical and dental care, and social services for U.S., www.arcinst.org the ditches, and catch turtles. After we got we were packing corn because your hand periodontitis, because I would not let no- civil rights, environmental and labor movements. people with and without health insurance. The old enough to work, when school got out be so sore you can’t hardly touch nothing. body stick me. So I did that my own self. Continued on next page page 20, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 21 Continued from preceding page Box 142933, Gainesville, FL 32614, gnewburn@ spite stays. Call the Warmline at 352-559-4559 our systems of government and impact public at the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of in the fields. On Facebook, search “Gainesville Central Florida Democratic Socialists of America famm.org. 352-682-2542 for support or online at gainesvillerespite.org policies (fairness in districting, voting and Gainesville (1624 NW 5th Ave.) at 7 pm with a Student/Farmworker Alliance” elections, e.g.) through citizen education and programmed portion and informal meeting with A local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America Final Friends helps families learn how to accom- Gainesville Socialists is a bi-weekly reading and Sunday Assembly, a secular congregation advocacy. http://www.lwvalachua.org/ info@ opportunity to talk and peruse their resource focusing on local social and political activism issues plish legal home funeral care as an alternative to discussion group. Meetings are open to all who which celebrates life, meets the third Sunday of lwv-alachua.org library. pflaggainesville.org. Confidential Helpline to better our community. General meetings are on employing a commercial funeral home. We are an consider themselves socialists, are interested in each month at 11 am at 530 W. University Ave. 352-340-3770 or email [email protected] the 4th Monday of every month at the Downtown independent group of volunteers who provide free socialism, or are otherwise curious. Meetings are Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs (Santa Fe College campus building in downtown Library in Gainesville in Meeting Room A. education, guidance and support to anyone who held at the CMC every other Tuesday at 8 pm, volunteers to join its advocates who protect Planned Parenthood Clinic Full-service health Gainesville). There is a talk, music, sing-alongs, [email protected], www.fb.com/centralfldsa prefers to care for their own deceased loved ones [email protected] elders’ rights in nursing homes, assisted living center for reproductive and sexual health care discussion, refreshments and felllowship. See prior to burial or cremation. www.finalfriends.org, needs. Offering pregnancy testing and options http://SAGainesville.weebly.com/ Citizens Climate Lobby (Gainesville Chapter) Gainesville Zen Center & Hostel A Zen facilities, family care homes. Training and [email protected], 352-374-4478 counseling for $10 from 10am-noon and 2-5pm. provides education/activist opportunities to Buddhist community offering rooms to rent on certification provided. 888-831-0404 or http:// UF College Democrats (UFCD) meets Located at 914 NW 13th St. 352-377-0881 bring about a stable climate. Meetings are on the The Fine Print Independent, critically thinking a daily basis. 404 SE 2nd St., 352-336-3613, ombudsman.myflorida.com Tuesdays at 6:30 in Little Hall 121. 407-580- Wednesday after the first Saturday of each month at outlet for political, social and arts coverage [email protected] MindFreedom North Florida Human rights Pride Community Center of North Central 4543, Facebook.com/UFcollegedems 12:30, at Vine Bread & Pasta place at 627 N. Main through local, in-depth reporting for Gainesville’s Florida Resources for the gay/lesbian Graduate Assistants United Union represents group for psychiatric survivors and mental health UF Pride Student Union Group of gay, lesbian, St. 352-672-4327, www.citizensclimatelobby.org, students. www.thefineprintuf.org community, open M-F, 3-7, Sat. noon-4. Located UF grad assistants by fighting for improved consumers. 352-328-2511 bi and straight students & non-students, faculty [email protected] at 3131 NW 13th St., Suite 62. 352-377-8915, Florida School of Traditional Midwifery A working conditions, community involvement and staff. www.grove.ufl.edu/~pride Move to Amend, Gainesville is an organization www.GainesvillePride.org Civic Media Center Alternative reading room clearinghouse for information, activities and and academic freedom. 352-575-0366, officers@ dedicated to amending the US Constitution to UF Radical Student Alliance A progressive grass- and library of the non-corporate press, and a educational programs. 352-338-0766 www. ufgau.org, www.ufgau.org Protect Gainesville Citizens Group whose establish that money is not speech, and that only roots organization that strives to combat social jus- resource and space for organizing. 352-373- midwiferyschool.org mission is to provide Gainesville residents with Grow Radio Non-profit provides opportunities for human beings have constitutional rights. Contact tice issues on campus; core values are transparency, 0010, www.civicmediacenter.org, 433 S Main accurate and comprehensible information about Florida Defenders of the Environment works community members to create and manage engag- Alachua County Green Party for info. democratic process, value of each member’s input, St.,Gainesville, 32601 the Cabot/Koppers Superfund site. 352-354- to protect freshwater resources, conserve public ing, educational, locally-generated programming to and ability of any member to assume a leadership The Coalition for Racial Justice gnv4all@ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 2432, www.protectgainesville.org lands, and provide quality environmental educa- promote fine, musical/visual arts and humanities for Support, education and advocacy for families role. Meetings at 6:30 pm Tuesdays on campus, gmail.com Quaker Meetinghouse tion since 1969, 352-475-1119, Fladefenders.org enrichment of the community. www.growradio.org. and loved ones of persons with mental illness/ Quakers have a 350- [email protected]. PO Box 13891, Gainesville, 32604, 352-219-0145 year tradition of working peacefully for social The Coalition of Hispanics Integrating Gainesville Area AIDS Project provides toiletries, brain disorders. 374-5600. ext. 8322; www. United Faculty of Florida, UF chapter Run (v), 352-872-5085 (studio hotline) justice. Silent, unprogrammed worship Sundays Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and household cleaners, hot meals, frozen food at no cost namigainesville.org by and for faculty, the University of Florica at 11, followed by potluck. Visitors welcome. 702 Service (CHISPAS) Student-run group at UF. to people living with HIV/AIDS. www.gaaponline. Harvest of Hope Foundation Non-profit Chapter of United Faculty of Florida (UFF-UF) National Committee to Preserve Social Security NW 38th St. Facebook/GainesvilleQuakers for [email protected] org, [email protected], 352-373-4227, Open provides emergency and educational financial aid represents over 1600 faculty and professionals and Medicare Local advocates work to promote/ events or request Meetinghouse space at www. Tuesdays 10-1 and last Friday of month 5-7. to migrant farm workers around the country. www. at UF. UFF’s origins lie in efforts by faculty to Code Pink: Women for Peace Women-led preserve these threatened programs for senior GainesvilleQuakers.org. harvestofhope.net, email: [email protected]. protect academic freedom, defend civil liberties, grassroots peace and social justice movement Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to Death citizens. We have literature, speakers, T-shirts. River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding and end racial discrimination at UF. www.UFF- utilizing creative protest, non-violent direct action Penalty works to abolish the death penalty. Join Home Van A mobile soup kitchen going to Email: [email protected]. See national provides innovative ways to resolve conflict and UF.org, 352-519-4130. and community involvement. CodePink4Peace. vigils when Florida has an execution. Meets first homeless areas twice a week with food and other Web site to join: http://www.ncpssm.org/ provides services like mediation, communication org, [email protected] Tuesday every month at St. Augustine Church necessities, delivering about 400 meals per week; United Nations Association, Gainesville Florida National Lawyers Guild Lawyers, law students, le- skill building and restorative justice. www. The Community Weatherization Coalition & Catholic Student Center , 1738 W. University operated by Citizens for Social Justice. barupa@ Chapter Purpose is to heighten citizen awareness and is centerforpeacebuilding.org. 2603 NW 13th St. Ave, 352-378-1690, www.fadp.org. atlantic.net or 352-372-4825 gal workers and jailhouse lawyers using the law to ad- knowledge of global problems and the UN efforts to a grassroots community coalition whose mission #333, 352-234-6595 vance social justice, support progressive social move- deal with those issues. www.afn.org/~una-usa/. is to improve home weatherization and energy Gainesville Food Not Bombs Local chapter Humanist Society of Gainesville meets at 7 pm on ments. [email protected] or www.nlg.org Samuel Proctor Oral History Program focuses efficiency for low-income households through of loose-knit group of collectives worldwide the 3rd Wednesday of most months at Unitarian Uni- United Way Information and Referral Human- on story-telling, social justice research, social education, volunteer work projects and community- who prepare and share free, vegan/vegetarian, versalist Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St to discuss and National Women’s Liberation is a feminist staffed computer database for resources and movement studies, oral history workshops. building. The CWC welcomes new volunteers to healthy, home-cooked meals made from local promote secular, humanist, atheist & agnostic social group for women who want to fight back against organizations in Alachua County. 352-332-4636 http://oral.history.ufl.edu get involved in a variety of ways, from performing surplus with all who are hungry. Meals at 3 p.m. influences-www.gainesvillehumanists.org or face- male supremacy and win more freedom for or simply 211 audits, to PR/Graphics and more. Contact: 352- Sundays at Bo Diddly Community Plaza. Prep book.com/humanistsocietyofgainesville; gainesville- women. Inequalities between women and men are Say Yes to Second Chances Florida is a coalition Veterans for Peace Anti-war organization that 450-4965 or [email protected] starts at 11 am. Get in touch if you’d like to [email protected]. political problems requiring a collective solution. of nonpartisan civic and faith organizations who raises awareness of the detriments of militarism help. [email protected]. www.facebook. Founded 1968. Join us: www.womensliberation. are working for Florida’s Voting Restoration Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. Non- Humanists on Campus UF organization provides and war as well as seeking peaceful and com/#!/groups/143660782367621/ org, P.O. Box 14017, Gainesville, 32604, 347- Amendment to allow people who’ve paid their profit land trust working to protect Florida’s rural a community for freethinking, secular humanists. effective alternatives. Meets first Wednesday 560-4695, [email protected] debt to society to earn back their right to vote. landscapes, wildlife corridors and natural areas. Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Goals include promoting values of humanism, of every month at 7 pm. 352-375-2563, http:// https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/ 352-466-1178, Conserveflorida.org Justice (IAIJ) organizes faith communities to work discussing issues humanists face internationally. NCF AWIS is an advocacy organization champion- vfpgainesville.org/ together for immigrant justice. Meets 2nd Mondays We strive to participate in community ing the interest of women in science, technology, Sierra Club meets the first Thursday of every Democratic Party of Alachua County WGOT 94.7 LP-FM Community low-power radio at 6 pm at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 service and bring a fun, dynamic group to engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across all month at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Meetings held the second Wednesday each station operating as part of the CMC. wgot947@ NW 18th Ave. [email protected], www. the university! Preferred contact info: email disciplines and employment sectors. Meetings are Fellowship of Gainesville-4225 NW 34th St. month at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the gmail.com, www.wgot.org Gainesville Police Headquarters on NW 6th St. gainesvilleiaij.blogspot.com, 352-377-6577 [email protected], alternative: usually the first Monday of the month (except holi- 352-528-3751, www.ssjsierra.org [email protected], phone- 561-374-3537 days) from 5:30 -7:30 pm Millhopper Branch, Ala- Women’s March Gainesville meets on the second & 8th Ave. Office is at 901 NW 8th Ave., 352- Gainesville Loves Mountains partners Sister City Program of Gainesville links chua County Public Library. All meetings open to Monday of each month: for location and agenda 373-1730, alachuadems.org with Appalachian allies to end mountaintop *Indivisible Gainesville* is one of 5800 local Gainesville with sister cities in Russia, Israel public. [email protected] or www.ncfawis.org information, please see are on the second Monday removal coal mining and build a prosperous chapters of the national Indivisible movement, and Palestine, Iraq, and Haiti. Meetings are Dream Defenders The Gainesville chapter seeks of each month, see www.hearourvoicegnv.org; economy/sustainable future. We pursue working to peacefully and systematically resist Occupy Gainesville is about engaging local the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. to create positive change by organizing creative- m.facebook.com/wmflgnv/;www.facebook.com/ policies to strengthen our local economy the Trump agenda. We are a group of local people in grassroots, participatory democracy, at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 NW ly skilled young leaders who strategically con- groups/wmflgnv/; Instagram.com/womensmarch- through energy efficiency, clean energy. volunteers fighting against agendas of division, diversity and dialogue; we stand in solidarity 18th Ave. (across from Gainesville HS). http:// front institutions of oppression through building gnv/; Twitter.com/WMFL_Gnv/ and/or email [email protected], 352- inequality, financial influence in government, with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and the www.gnvsistercities.org collective power, raising the consciousness of all [email protected]. Together we can do 610-1090, http://gainesvillelovesmountains. and policies that neglect to benefit all American rest of the people peacefully occupying public people, and operating with the genuine desire for Stand By Our Plan informs the public on crit- anything... Join Us! We Need You. Let’s build this wordpress.com/ citizens equally. indivisiblegnv.org. space across this county and the the world. “justice and equality for all.” We are building ical differences between the Comprehensive peaceful movement together! www.occupygainesville.org and https://www. the world we wish to see. www.facebook.com/ Gainesville NOW www.gainesvillenow.org. Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Plan and Plum Creek’s proposal, which we do UFDreamDefenders/ facebook.com/occupygainesville World Socialist Party of the United States [email protected] NOW meeting info Gainesville General Membership Branch not support. Alachua County’s Comprehensive (WSP-US) welcomes anyone wanting to Edible Plant Project contact Lisa at 352-450-1912 Union for all workers, regardless of industry, Our Santa Fe River Ichetucknee Alliance Plan is the best blueprint for future growth in Local 100% volunteer- and know more about Marxian socialism and our run collective to create a revolution through trade, job, or employment status. Meets 1st the county’s unincorporated areas; it protects Gainesville Peer Respite A non-profit, non- are two of a number of grassroots environmentalist efforts to transform the dog-eat-dog–Devil edible and food-producing plants. http:// Sunday of the month at 6 pm at CMC. Contact: groups campaigning to protect and restore the rivers valuable wetlands,. standbyourplan@gmail. clinical mental health community providing take the hindmost world–created by capital- edibleplantproject.org/contact-us [email protected] and springs. See: http://www.oursantaferiver.org/ com; http://standbyourplan.org/ sanctuary and support to those experiencing ism into a democratically arranged world so- and http://www.ichetuckneealliance.org/ Families Against Mandatory Minimums Work emotional distress. Peer Support Warmline is League of Women Voters of Alachua County Student/Farmworker Alliance A network of ciety of equality at [email protected]. Upon to reform Florida's sentencing laws and restore available 6pm-6am, and we offer wellness ac- Nonpartisan grassroots political group of women PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians youth organizing with farmworkers to eliminate request the Party will provide membership fairness to Florida's criminal justice system. PO tivities, support groups and brief overnight re- and men which has fought since 1920 to improve and Gays) meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month sweatshop conditions and modern-day slavery applications,htttp://wspus.org D page 22, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org July/August 2017, Iguana page 23 From ORAL HISTORY, p. 21 Editors’ picks: news that didn’t fit N: The quilt was to honor their memories? D I Was Trained for the Culture Wars in Home School, L: Yeah. I put all of them on the quilt. I put my sister Awaiting Someone Like Mike Pence as a Messiah by Kieryn on there. They just said her heart stopped. But I'm Darkwater going, at 62 years old? Just here a week ago—we lost What it was like raised in an evangelical conservative two more people who work on the muck. environment, aiming to make laws legislating morality and We are trying to bring awareness to the world that planning for a Christofascist takeover of the US government by chemicals do affect people. It might not affect them outbreeding, outvoting, and outactivating the other side . right then but in a long run it will, all of us. At one https://www.autostraddle.com/i-was-trained-for-the-culture- point I used to make jewelry, but I stopped because wars-in-home-school-awaiting-someone-like-mike-pence-as-a- my arthritis slowed me up. I do the quilt thing now, messiah-367057/amp/ my sewing isn’t as good as it used to be. I just pray to D Forget fake news - alt-right memes could do more damage to the Lord that I can do whatever. democracy by Sophia A. McClennen We let the quilt go out to different places to show Right-wing social media dominance, like road-rage-radio rants people the injustice that we having in our area. This before it, creates a powerful Republican propaganda machine that is the blue quilt. This is the red. journalists, liberals, and progressives barely notice . www.salon.com/2017/07/08/forget-fake-news-alt-right-memes- Search for “Linda Lee” at http://oral.history.ufl.edu could-do-more-damage-to-democracy/ for the audio podcast of this interview (transcript D Spotlighting Cruelty of Trump’s Muslim Ban, World not online at this writing) . Embraces #BannedGrandmas by Jake Johnson The Samuel Proctor Oral History Program believes A viral Instagram account shows who Trump’s travel ban is really that listening carefully to first-person narratives keeping out, by showing photos of Mamanis (Grandmothers) can change the way we understand history, from who are barred from coming to the U .S . for medical treatment scholarly questions to public policy . SPOHP needs or to reunite with their American families to see their new-born the public’s help to sustain and build upon its grandchildren or their older grandchildren graduate from college . research, teaching, and service missions: even small https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/07/spotlighting- donations can make a big difference in SPOHP’s cruelty-trumps-muslim-ban-world-embraces-bannedgrandmas D ability to gather, preserve, and promote history for future generations . D The Gainesville Iguana

Established 1986 Gainesville's progressive newsletter and events calendar

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page 24, Iguana,July/August 2017 Gainesville, Florida